Blue Jays trade Emilio Bonifacio to Kansas City Royals

Toronto Blue Jays' Emilio Bonifacio follows through on his single during the sixth inning of the American League MLB baseball game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston Sunday, May 12, 2013. (AP / Winslow Townson)

TORONTO -- The Toronto Blue Jays have traded Emilio Bonifacio to the Kansas City Royals for a player to be named later or cash.

Bonifacio hit .218 as a utility player this season. He saw time at second base, shortstop and all three outfield positions.

The 28-year-old's speed and versatility figured to make him a trade commodity at the July 31 deadline. He was not moved then and had to clear waivers to be sent to Kansas City.

The Royals are 6 1/2 games out of first place in the American League Central and four games back of the second wild-card spot.

Trading Bonifacio cleared space on the roster for outfielder Kevin Pillar, who was recalled from Buffalo. Pillar, the Blue Jays' 32nd-round pick in the 2011 draft, could make his major-league debut at Rogers Centre on Wednesday night against the Boston Red Sox.

The team also announced they placed outfielder Colby Rasmus on the 15-day disabled list and recalled infielder Munenori Kawasaki.

More changes could be in store soon for the last-place Blue Jays, who are 17 games back of the American League East-leading Red Sox. They had originally acquired Bonifacio in the off-season blockbuster trade with the Miami Marlins that included shortstop Jose Reyes, pitchers Mark Buehrle and Josh Johnson and catcher John Buck.